According to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), nearly 70 percent of traffic crashes involving large trucks and passenger cars are the fault of the car driver. Here are some tips to help drivers avoid collisions with large trucks, buses as well as other passenger cars.
AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION? Proper maintenance is key to ensuring your vehicle operates safely when you need it to. Honestly now, when was the last time you checked to make certain your vehicle brake lights and turn signals all worked, the headlight lenses weren’t fogged over by UV rays, inspected the brake rotors and pads, checked for sufficient tire tread/correct tire air pressure/proper alignment, serviceability of windshield wiper blades, etc.? All these systems are very important for your vehicle’s stability and operating safety.
DON’T TAILGATE, and be alert for others tailgating you. The minimum recommended following distance during daylight dry operating conditions is three seconds, with additional seconds added for each adverse driving condition (i.e. darkness, rain/fog, heavy traffic, snow/sleet, carrying passengers, etc). A tailgating driver won’t have a clear field of view for the surroundings and may have insufficient time to react to sudden braking for emergencies. The safest way to deal with a tailgater or reckless driver is to change lanes and let them pass.
OBEY POSTED LIMITS, not only to avoid being cited with a fine, but to ensure you can stop in time for the hazards commonly associated with that particular roadway. Oh, did we happen to mention what speeding tickets do to accident frequencies and Auto Insurance rates?
AVOID BLIND SPOTS and be aware of the possible blind spots on both sides of any vehicle. Don’t linger in these areas while driving. Other drivers may not realize you’re there until it’s too late. Your blind spot area can be minimized with proper positioning of rear and side view mirrors to ensure greater safety.
STAY FOCUSED on the road, current driving conditions and actions of other vehicles in your path. Avoid distractions (i.e. eating, drinking, cell phones, etc.) that take your attention off the task at hand, which is getting to your destination safely.
BUCKLE UP! Don’t be a Dummy. Your seat belt is the most important life safety device in your vehicle during a crash. As the driver, your seat belt can help keep you properly and safely positioned in your seat so you can better maintain control of your vehicle.
While all of these may seem like common sense, when was the last time you shook your head at another driver for violating one or more? More to the point, when was the last time somebody shook their head at you for one or more? Please drive safely.
Luis Roque is a local, Independent Insurance Agent whose goal is to help clients “Be Protected, Not Surprised, and Get More Than You’re Already Paying For.”Roque Agency Insurance is located at… 150 Uptown Square, Suite C
Murfreesboro, TN 37129.
Getting to work can be quite hectic most mornings, to say the very least! Most of us have a scheduled routine for getting the kids up, getting ourselves showered, dressed and ready, preparing some sort of breakfast for ourselves and/or others, perhaps making lunch for the kids before dropping them off at school or daycare and OH THE TRAFFIC. THE RETCHED TRAFFIC!!
Now, imagine that traffic light turning orange as you approach and rush through to save a minute from being late when this happens on your way to wherever. Is everyone OK? Is anyone injured? Where is the Motorcyclist? Who’s your Auto Insurance with again? Better call work and let them know you’ll be late. Ironically, you haven’t thought ONCE about your monthly premium, just whether your insurance will cover all these damages.
Sadly, if you’re still driving on 100/300 limits like most did back in the 80’s and 90’s, you might be in for a rude awakening as the 21st century prepares its slap in the face. It may be too late to mind those Law Firm TV commercials touting the sizable awards they’ve won for their accident clients. Maybe too late to learn the average auto accident judgement in Tennessee today exceeds $500,000 and awards exceeding $1,000,000 result in 15-20% of all cases.
If you don’t know what your coverage provides, have a local agent or even remember who yours is, it’s time you come see us. We’ll discuss your Liability and Uninsured Motorist limits for today’s medical and legal expense world because sadly, here in Tennessee 1 in 4 are driving on state minimum coverage or less. We’ll help you be protected, not surprised, and probably get more than you’re already paying for.
Luis Roque is a local, Independent Insurance Agent whose goal is to help clients “Be Protected, Not Surprised, and Get More Than You’re Already Paying For.”Roque Agency Insurance is located at… 150 Uptown Square, Suite C
Murfreesboro, TN 37129.
Well, if you haven’t accepted the facts by now, SEAT BELTS SAVE LIVES. When properly used, seat belts work alongside their ever important, and safety engineered, vehicle windshield, airbags and chassis, to protect your body’s physical safety and integrity during a collision. Starting in January 2016, our friend “Johnny Law” will begin reminding us all of their importance by doubling fines when you’re found riding on Tennessee roadways without your seat belt. But, let’s get serious – $25!! I’ve had pricier parking tickets than that. If society wants to encourage seat belt use, then make the first time offense a $500 fine and subsequent offenses $1000. The penalties should at least approximate the annual cost of an average $1M Life Insurance policy, which they should carry if they’re going to ride without wearing seat belts!
Have you ever seen what happens to unbuckled occupants, not to mention their fellow passengers, who who are injured when “Too Cool for Seat Belts” passengers become human projectiles in an auto accident? IT’S SICKENING & DEADLY!
Folks. The windshield won’t stop you from being ejected out the vehicle if your seat belt is not on. The airbags won’t save you from traumatic internal injury if you slide underneath them when your seat belt isn’t on to hold you in place. The vehicle’s chassis can’t shield you when you fly outside it because you weren’t wearing your seat belt. Don’t risk your life, or the lives of others in the vehicle with you, by not wearing your seat belt. It might take getting off of a seat belt violation several thousand times to equate to the loss you’ll sustain or impose by not wearing your seat belt during just one collision. Be Safe – Buckle Up!
Luis Roque is a local, Independent Agent who strives to help clients “Be Protected, Not Surprised, and Get More Than You’re Already Paying For.”Roque Agency Insurance is located at… 150 Uptown Square, Suite C
Murfreesboro, TN 37129.
Roque Agency Insurance 